CRT (IJCAHPO) study guide
CRT · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential is awarded through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) upon passing the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination, which objectively measures the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required of respiratory therapists at entry into practice. The exam is intended for graduates of accredited respiratory therapy education programs and other candidates who meet the NBRC's admission requirements. The TMC Examination, effective under the Detailed Content Outline in force from January 2020 through December 31, 2026, consists of 160 multiple-choice items (140 scored and 20 pretest) taken over a three-hour period. Two cut scores apply: achieving the low cut score earns the CRT credential, while achieving the high cut score earns the CRT credential and makes you eligible for the Clinical Simulation Examination, provided you qualify for the RRT pathway. The CRT study guide has 4 sections and about 1,169 words.
01Patient Assessment and Clinical Data Interpretation
Every TMC-style item begins with data: vital signs, breath sounds, arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, capnography, and the patient's work of breathing. You must be able to look at a set of numbers and decide whether the patient is oxygenating, ventilating, and compensating.
334 words, about 2 min02Equipment, Oxygen Delivery, and Airway Management
This area tests whether you can select and troubleshoot respiratory equipment. Know the oxygen delivery devices and their approximate FiO2 ranges: nasal cannula 1-6 L/min (about 24-44%), simple mask 5-10 L/min (about 35-50%), air-entrainment (Venturi) masks for precise FiO2, partial and nonrebreather masks, and high-flow nasal cannula.
295 words, about 1 min03Therapist-Driven Protocols, Monitoring, and Quality
Questions here test whether you can apply protocols, interpret monitoring data, and act within scope. Understand how therapist-driven protocols work: assess, apply criteria, act, reassess, and document.
281 words, about 1 min04Disease Management and Emergency Response
This area integrates pathophysiology with action across common respiratory conditions: asthma, COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, heart failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome, plus emergencies such as tension pneumothorax, airway obstruction, and respiratory failure. For each, know the hallmark findings, the first-line therapy, and the red flags that demand immediate escalation.
259 words, about 1 min